Jacobs, Rath, Zucchetti honored during Niagara University convocation

by jmaloni

Submitted

Wed, Oct 23rd 2013 12:40 pm

Jeremy M. Jacobs, chairman and CEO of Delaware North Companies and owner of the NHL's Boston Bruins, receives a framed honorary doctorate from the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University, and Dr. Gary Praetzel, dean of NU's College of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Niagara University's College of Hospitality and
Tourism Management held its 13th annual convocation Tuesday, Oct.
22, in the university's Alumni Chapel. Sponsored by the Maid of the Mist Corp.,
the convocation is the college's showcase event, during which it annually
honors national and international leaders in the hospitality and tourism
industry.

This year's honorees were Buffalo-born Jeremy M.
Jacobs, chairman and CEO of Delaware North Companies and owner of the NHL's
Boston Bruins; Carsten K. Rath, founder and CEO of Lifestyle Hospitality and
Entertainment Management AG, also an accomplished motivational speaker; and
Danilo Zucchetti, managing director of the Villa d'Este, S.p.A., Virtuoso
Travel Week's 2012 Hotelier of the Year.

"I thank Jeremy, Carsten and Danilo for allowing
Niagara University the privilege of honoring them; they are incredibly
accomplished men," said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University
president. "If you listened closely to their life stories, you heard some
common themes: humble beginnings, overcoming significant life challenges, and a
pledge to excellence. They are each lifelong learners with an abiding
commitment to service to their local and global communities. They honor us with
their presence today."

Jacobs, who received an honorary doctor of
commercial science, assumed ownership of Delaware North at age 28, helping
transform the company from a modest popcorn and peanuts vending business in
Buffalo into one of the world's leading hospitality and food service companies.
The seven operating divisions that make up the Delaware North family of
companies are responsible for more than $2.6 billion in annual revenue and
employ 55,000-plus associates. Locally, Delaware North operates businesses in
Niagara Falls State Park, First Niagara Center and at Ralph Wilson Stadium,
among others. Philanthropically, the Jacobs family has supported numerous
causes, ranging from educational scholarships to environmental preserves and
youth sports. Last year, the Jacobs family was named "Philanthropists of the
Year" by two separate organizations.

At age 47, Rath, recipient of NU's International
Hotel Developer Award, is already among the most accomplished entrepreneurs the
hospitality industry has ever seen. In November 2003, he was named managing
director of Robinson Club GmbH, Germany's leader in premium resort vacations.
Two years later, Rath became board chairman of the Arabella Hotel Holding
International and Arabella Starwood Hotels & Resorts. He is also a board
member of Design Hotels. As founder and CEO of Lifestyle Hospitality and
Entertainment Management AG, he oversaw construction of the futuristic Kameha
Grand Bonn, a German resort that has received countless awards for design and
innovation. Rath also maintains a lucrative career as a motivational speaker
and lectures at the International University of Applied Sciences in Bad Honnef,
Germany.

The International Hotelier of the Year Award
went to Zucchetti, a graduate of the Hosta Hotel & Tourism School and the
highly regarded Hotel Institute in Montreux. Zucchetti was named general
manager of Villa d'Este in 2005. By January 2012, he took over as managing
director of the Villa d'Este Group, succeeding the legendary Jean-Marc
Droulers. Zucchetti has been instrumental in placing dozens of NU students in
summer internships in Lake Como over the past 10 years. In 2012, Virtuoso Travel
Week named Zucchetti its Hotelier of the Year, an honor given to those who
exemplify a commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for clients.

For more information on Niagara University's
College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, call 716-286-8279 or go online
to www.niagara.edu/hospitality.